Device for removing sludge from the bottom of a lagoon

ABSTRACT

A device for removing sludge from a lagoon, includes an elongated frame including first and second end portions. The frame includes first and second laterally spaced runners defining a recess therebetween. A scoop is positioned in the recess and includes an inclined bottom. One of the first and second end portions includes an opening which is in fluid communication with the scoop for allowing the sludge to flow therein. A pump is operably connected to the scoop for pumping the sludge collected in the scoop to a remote location.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is directed to sludge treatment systems, and more particularly to a device for removing sludge from the bottom of a lagoon.

[0002] It is a common problem that sludge accumulates at the bottom of lagoons. If this accumulation is allowed to continue, the solids removal efficiency of the lagoon would be diminished and the associated plant could be in violation of its discharge permit. The present approach is to hire a dredging company to completely clean out the lagoon. These companies typically use large floating dredges that can cause a re-suspension of solids in the water column. As mentioned before, this can result in a violation of the discharge permit.

[0003] Various cleaning devices are presently available and examples are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,160,632; 4,536,286; 4,677,997; 5,622,571; and, 6,237,177.

[0004] There is a need in the industry, however, for a device which effectively removes the sludge from the bottom of a lagoon without adversely affecting the solids removal efficiency of the lagoon.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which overcomes the drawbacks associated with the conventional devices.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which could be used in any water body where removal of sludge or sediment is needed. This includes sewage lagoons, settling basins, stabilization ponds, and recreational lakes, etc.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which can be used in an operating lagoon without causing a violation of a discharge permit. More particularly, the device of the present invention can be used without shutting down or taking out of service the lagoon.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which is simple to operate and can be easily operated by in-house personnel at their convenience.

[0009] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which when used, as intended, does not require the lagoon to be cleaned again because it maintains the amount of sludge at a steady state. In other words, the device of the present invention removes only enough sludge to maintain a steady state, instead of removing all the accumulated sludge.

[0010] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which requires significantly less labor because it is intended to remove only a portion of the sludge in the lagoon on an annual basis. The amount of sludge removed is determined by the annual accumulation rate.

[0011] Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which is significantly less expensive to own, operate and maintain.

[0012] Still yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which allows an operator to reverse the direction of travel without having to turn the sled around.

[0013] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which includes a tapered grill at both ends thereof to prevent large objects from clogging the sled and, at the same time, allow it to rise up over obstructions.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which includes a surface float system that allows the operator to raise and lower the device anywhere in the lagoon, that supports the 90 degree pipe transition elbow and vertically stabilizes the device during operation.

[0015] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which includes a winch system that allows the operator to control the rate and direction of travel.

[0016] Still yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which includes a pump system that transports the sludge from the bottom of the lagoon, through a float supported pipeline, to a remote onshore collection/disposal site.

[0017] In summary, the main object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing sludge from a lagoon which removes enough, or a smaller amount of the sludge that is equal to its accumulation rate, thereby creating a steady state such that the lagoon's sludge holding capacity is not exceeded. Also, since it only disturbs a small portion of the lagoon the effluent quality is not significantly diminished. Therefore, the lagoon remains in operation while the sludge is being removed. In addition, since only a small portion of the sludge is removed, only considerably downsized equipment is needed and which results in significantly less disturbance of the water column.

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, a device for removing sludge from a lagoon, includes an elongated frame including first and second end portions. The frame includes first and second laterally spaced runners defining a recess therebetween. A scoop is positioned in the recess and includes an inclined bottom. One of the first and second end portions includes an opening which is in fluid communication with the scoop for allowing the sludge to flow therein. A pump is operably connected to the scoop for pumping the sludge collected in the scoop to a remote location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The above and other objects, novel features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the device of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view of the device showing in use; and

[0022]FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the device shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] As best shown in FIG. 1, the device of the present invention is in the form of a sled S including a frame 10 comprising laterally spaced left and right runners 12 and 14. The frame 10 is preferably made of sheet metal to prevent aeration pipes and other obstructions from catching thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the sled S is approximately twelve feet long, three feet wide and two feet high; however these dimensions can be varied to suit the application. In a preferred embodiment, the sled S is much smaller than a regular dredge because the objective is not to remove all of the sludge SL in the lagoon.

[0024] The runners 12 and 14 define a recess 16 therebetween. A third runner 18 is positioned between left and right runners 12 and 14 adjacent the ends 20 and 22 of the sled S. Grills 24 and 26 are provided at the ends 20 and 22, respectively, to prevent large objects from clogging the sled S. The runners 12, 14 and 16, and the grills 24 and 26 are generally curved so the sled S easily rides over any obstructions along the pathway.

[0025] Two generally identical scoops 28 and 30 are axially positioned in the recess 16 that feed into a central pump chamber 32. A submersible pump 34 is connected to the pump chamber 32, for pumping the sludge collected by the scoops 28 and 30. The scoops 28 and 30 include bottoms 36 and 38, respectively, that are inclined upwardly towards the center 40 of the frame 10 so that the sludge SL is lifted up off the bottom of the lagoon L and channeled into the center pump chamber 32. As can be seen from FIG. 1, both ends 20 and 22 of the frame 10 are generally identical so that the sled S can operate in either direction.

[0026] As best shown in FIGS. 2-3, the sled S is operated by dragging along the lagoon bottom LB by a system 41 including a winch 42 and a cable 44. The cable 44 is wound at a rate such that sludge SL is continuously brought into the pump chamber 32 and removed by the pump 34. In an experiment conducted with a prototype model, it was found that more water than sludge SL is removed by the pump 34, if the sled was advanced too slowly. Conversely, some sludge would overtop the sled S if it was advanced too rapidly. The optimal operational range was found to be 1.5 to 3.0 m/minute, but this can vary in other applications depending on the characteristics of the sludge.

[0027] When the desired pathway has been cleared of sludge SL, the winch and cable system 41 can be repositioned to the left or right on the ground anchored cable 46, and the direction of travel of the sled S can be reversed. After that pathway has been cleared, the winch and cable system 41 is again repositioned in a reversed direction of travel. This procedure is continued until the operator is satisfied that the required amount of sludge from the affected area has been removed.

[0028] The sludge SL scooped up by the sled S is removed by a pumping system, which includes the submersible pump 34, a float connector 48, a hose 50, and float supports 52. The pump 34 can be electrical or air-powered. The function of the pump 34 is to force the sludge SL through the hose 50 to an onshore collection/disposal site 54. The float connector 48 includes conventional components, such as a 90° elbow and hose couplings, electric line or air hose, and a hand winch to raise or lower the sludge sled S. The hose 50 would, preferably, have a smooth bore for unrestricted flow of water and is transparent, at least in some portion, to allow visual observation of flow. The hose 50 is supported by floats 52 to reduce drag force on the winch 42. A compressor 56 is connected to the pump 34.

[0029] While this invention has been described as having preferred ranges, steps, materials, or designs, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention, and including such departures from the present disclosure, as those come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and of the appended claims. It is further understood that the present invention is not limited to the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for removing sludge from a lagoon, comprising: a) an elongated frame including first and second end portions; b) said frame including first and second laterally spaced runners defining a recess therebetween; c) a first scoop positioned in said recess and including an inclined bottom; d) one of said first and second end portions including a first opening in fluid communication with said first scoop for allowing the sludge to flow therein; e) a pump operably connected to said scoop for pumping the sludge collected in said first scoop to a remote location.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a second scoop positioned in said recess and including an inclined bottom.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein: the other of said first and second end portions includes a second opening in fluid communication with said second scoop for allowing the sludge to flow therein.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein: the respective bottoms of said first and second scoops are inclined upwardly towards the center of said frame.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein: said pump is located between said first and second scoops.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein: each of said first and second openings comprises a grill.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein: each of said first and second end portions comprises a curved surface.
 8. The device of claim 7, further comprising: a third runner between said first and second runners.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising: a pump chamber in fluid communication with said first and second scoops.
 10. The device of claim 8, further comprising: means for pulling the device along the bottom of a lagoon.
 11. A device for removing sludge from a lagoon by pulling it along the bottom thereof, comprising: a) an elongated frame including first and second end portions; b) said frame including first and second laterally spaced runners defining a recess therebetween; c) first and second scoops positioned in said recess; d) each of said first and second scoops including a bottom inclined upwardly towards the center of said frame; e) each of said first and second scoops including an end opening in fluid communication with a corresponding opening in said first and second end portions of said frame for allowing the sludge to flow therein; f) a pump operably connected to said first and second scoops for pumping the sludge collected in said first and second scoops to a remote location; and g) means for moving the device along the bottom of a lagoon; h) wherein sludge may be collected by moving the device in a first direction along the bottom of the lagoon and then by moving the device in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein: each of said first and second end portions of said frame includes a grill.
 13. The device of claim 12, wherein: each of said first and second end portions of said frame includes a curved surface.
 14. The device of claim 13, further comprising: a third runner between said first and second runners.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein: said pump is positioned between said first and second scoops. 